Kings Intensive English Course

COURSE FACTSHEET

Intensive Course Who is this course for?

Included in the price

The Intensive Course is a course designed for students who wish to improve their overall English language level, and to develop their skills and knowledge in a particular language area through a range of Special Interest Groups.

à 28 lessons per week àW elcome Information Pack àP lacement test on arrival, weekly progress tests and regular homework àG uidance from specialist university advisors (if required) à Course materials àU se of Computer Learning Centre àA ccess to Classmate, the Kings online learning platform àA ccess to the Kings Learning Progress Guarantee (12 week+ bookings) à One-to-one interview with a senior academic staff member every 6 weeks (12 week+ bookings) à Wireless internet in College à Optional weekly lecture programme à Two free social activities per week à End-of-course certificate (90% or higher attendance required)

Key Facts Start dates: Every Monday: 7 January – 9 December 2019; 6 January– 7 December 2020 Beginners start dates: first Monday of each month* Locations offered: New York Los Angeles

Boston

Oxford

London Brighton

Bournemouth

Level: Kings Level 1 (Beginner) Length: Minimum 2 weeks Lessons: 28 lessons (21 hours) per week Minimum age: 16 Maximum class size: 14 (UK), 15 (US) Learning outcomes: à Fluency in the shortest possible time à Development of specialist language areas according to students’ individual needs à Experience of a range of exciting subjects in Special Interest Groups *If a Beginners level group is not available to join, students will be offered 8 hours per week of one-to-one lessons until they can join a suitable class.

Course structure and content General English classes During the General English component of the course, students can expect to cover:

28 lessons (21 hours) per week, mornings and afternoons.

Comprising: à 20 lessons (15 hours) per week of General English à 8 lessons (6 hours) per week in Special Interest Groups, which offer a range of more specialist English language topics to suit students’ needs and interests.

English Language: àV ocabulary àG rammar àP ronunciation Language skills: àS peaking àL istening àR eading àW riting

Optional for courses of 12 weeks or more: à Up to 4 guided study sessions each week Book the Intensive Course for 12+ weeks and you will receive: à Kings Learning Guarantee à Personalized study plan à Access to Kings’ tracking and testing procedures, including regular progress assessments and regular one-to-one tutorials with a senior academic staff member

Study Skills: àN ote taking àR esearch skills àT ime management àD ictionary work àL earner autonomy Cultural and personal development: àU nderstanding cultural difference and similarity àW orking with others àP resenting an argument

Sample timetable (class times may vary by location) (During the summer students might have lessons in the mornings, afternoons or a combination of both.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9.00 – 10.30

General English

General English

General English

General English

General English

10.30 – 11.00

Break

Break

Break

Break

Break

11.00 – 12.30

General English

General English

General English

General English

General English

12.30 – 13.30

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

13.30 – 15.00

Special Interest Group

Special Interest Group

Special Interest Group

Special Interest Group

Free time or Half-day Excursion

15:00 – 17:00

Clubs, Activities, Additional Lectures, Homework, Guided Study, or Free Time

COURSE FACTSHEET

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

The Kings SIGs Guarantee

Students taking the Intensive Course have the option to choose from a range of Special Interest Groups to supplement their General English lessons. They are designed to develop students’ specialist skills in English, or to give them experience of additional subjects which interest them.

They will be able to apply English to a range of practical situations for study, work, or cultural interest. Students can choose from a wide range of SIGs, which will vary according to location and required language level, and are always subject to availability. All SIGs are included in the price of the course. See below for sample SIGs.

Intensive Courses/Diploma of Intensive English We guarantee that a Special Interest Group in all 4 of our key learning outcome areas will be available in all schools, at all times – Fluency and Experience; Professional Success; Exam Success; University Success. Whatever your desired goal, you will have the opportunity to pick the classes that will help you get there. Specific SIGs will vary dependent on dates and may require a minimum language level to join.

SIGs for Fluency and Experience à Pronunciation Pronunciation is a speaking skills class designed for students who are interested in speaking more clearly and naturally. This class will guide students from controlled practice to communicative interaction, helping them to develop the most important parts of spoken English, such as stress, rhythm, and intonation. à Vocabulary Development This course helps students to improve their reading skills and vocabulary by working with academic materials and learning valuable words from the Academic Word List.

à Conversation Skills This course helps students to get better at speaking English by learning common idioms, phrases, and modern expressions. This course will help them improve their listening and speaking skills, and will give them conversational vocabulary. à Group Discussion This covers many serious issues that are highly debated in American or British society. The discussions teach students how to apply abstract ideas, think critically about what they learn, and exchange their ideas in a respectful manner.

à Elementary Skills Confidence in each of the main language skills is one of the most important factors that determine how quickly and effectively lower level students will progress. On this course, equal attention is paid to writing, reading, listening and speaking. Students are given the language training and practice they need in order to develop into skilled communicators.

à British Culture and History This course looks at aspects of British life such as British history, literature, philosophy, law, etiquette and the British education system.

Students will find out about and visit various local places of interest, whilst also improving their English language skills. The course will focus on spoken fluency and reading skills.

à Survival English Survival English is designed for students who are beginner-level and have very little knowledge of English. The course gives them specific support in completing the daily, necessary functions required to “survive” in their host culture. It combines the development of daily, oral language skills along with cultural awareness through thematic units of study.

à Discussion Skills On this course students are introduced to a wide range of language used to agree and disagree, negotiate, suggest, clarify, summarise and many other necessary functions involved in discussions. In addition to this, students are trained to focus on their listening skills and the accuracy and fluency of their pronunciation.

This course also offers an opportunity for students to explore the differences that may exist between the ways discussions are conducted in their culture and how discussions are managed in English. à American Culture This course evaluates traditional American views on religion, business, government, race relations, education, family and more, all while exploring more advanced vocabulary and refining different English skills.

à Drama This course focuses on English in the context of drama. The goals are to expand the students’ existing dramatic knowledge in English and to develop their play writing, acting and directing skills, culminating in the opportunity to collaboratively produce and perform a short dramatic piece. à Cinema and Television This course is designed to help students improve their oral skills and their understanding of Anglophone culture by analysing films, and television shows. Topics include idiomatic language, vocabulary development, dialect differences and social communication. à Music This course introduces students to the musical genres and styles found in the contemporary US or UK. Students develop their language skills by exploring their musical interests. à Speaking, Drama and Pronunciation On this course, students will develop the clarity and fluency of their spoken English through engagement in a range of drama based activities. Students will focus on pronunciation at each level, from individual sounds, to words, phrases, sentences and on to longer stretches of speech. This course provides students with the knowledge, skills and practice needed to develop the ability to use spoken English in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes, speaking with clarity, precision and emotional expressiveness.

Continued overleaf æ

COURSE FACTSHEET

SIGs for Professional Success à Business Fluency Business English students will use important words and phrases accurately, develop reading skills, and be exposed to business concepts.

They will practise listening skills such as listening for information and note-taking, discuss important business topics, demonstrate and apply knowledge of topics by recreating business situations and reacting to listenings and readings, and recognise cultural differences. à English for Work This class will help students improve their knowledge and confidence with language used in a business context. They will learn and practise new vocabulary related to the world of work, learn useful spoken phrases, work on pronunciation and see their confidence increase. They will read and listen to business language, practise giving presentations and role-playing business meetings, and learn

Career Guidance (all schools)

useful language to use in writing reports and emails à English plus Marketing and Digital Media This class will focus on the language of marketing, digital media and new technologies. Students will cover topics such as social media marketing, digital strategy, branding and advertising, and business and marketing terminology. à Legal English On this course, students will be introduced to the essentials of legal English. In addition to covering of a range of types of law, including contract, criminal and international, students will also develop their knowledge of legal vocabulary and the skills needed to work in the legal profession. Students will have the opportunity to experience the practice of law through regular educational visits.

All students will also have access to additional Career Guidance, which is offered as a guaranteed afternoon enrichment opportunity across all schools. This is an ideal option for gap year students or for those who want additional advice about the next steps, whether that be going on to further education or starting a career. Options will vary across schools and times of year, but you can expect opportunities including: à Build on important skills such as creating the perfect CV, performing well in interviews, giving engaging presentations. à University advice — which course is right for you? Which universities are best for your course or subject? à Attend talks and discussions introducing many different sectors of working society — finance, business, education, marketing, etc. à Psychometric testing — guiding students through internationally recognised testing systems to analyse their skills and strengths.

SIGs for Exam Success

à Masters Preparation Combining intensive focus on academic English and comprehensive coverage of the skills needed to succeed at a graduate level, this course is designed for students who are planning on studying for a Masters degree at an English-speaking university. Students who join the Masters Preparation SIG will produce a range of academic texts, including research projects and a mini dissertation.

à GMAT Preparation In our GMAT Preparation SIG students can learn the vital concepts, shortcuts and pitfalls of the exam. They get test-taking practice and teacher support that makes their preparation more productive. à IELTS Preparation This course is designed to provide students with a detailed and comprehensive overview of the IELTS exam and the requirements of each of its four parts. In addition to extensive language enrichment, students are trained in the skills needed to fully achieve their potential in the exam. à TOEFL Preparation This course is intended as an introduction to the TOEFL and its four sections – listening, reading, speaking and writing. Students whose level is not quite ready for the rigorous nature of this academic test will benefit from seeing the question types and practicing test items in simpler language.

à Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) On this course, students will be introduced to the Cambridge English: Advanced exam and given extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of its four sections. In addition to intensive language enrichment, students will be provided with a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on their performance. à Cambridge English: First (FCE) On this course, students will be introduced to the Cambridge English: First exam and given extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of its four sections. In addition to intensive language enrichment, students will be provided with a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on their performance.

Continued overleaf æ

1233 07/15

à Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) On this course, students will be introduced to the Cambridge English: Proficiency exam and given extensive guidance on the specific requirements of each of its four sections. In addition to intensive language enrichment, students will be provided with a range of practice tests and detailed feedback on their performance.

COURSE FACTSHEET

SIGs for University Success à Masters Preparation Combining intensive focus on academic English and comprehensive coverage of the skills needed to succeed at a graduate level, this course is designed for students who are planning on studying for a Masters degree at an English-speaking university. Students who join the Masters Preparation SIG will produce a range of academic texts, including research projects and a mini dissertation. à GMAT Preparation In our GMAT Preparation SIG students can learn the vital concepts, shortcuts and pitfalls of the exam. They get test-taking practice and teacher support that makes their preparation more productive.

à Academic Reading and Writing Academic English has a very specific set of conventions regarding grammar, vocabulary and format. On this course, students will be provided with a detailed and comprehensive overview of written academic English. They will develop the skills needed to produce and fully understand a range of academic texts. à Pre-IELTS This course familiarises students with the format of the IELTS exam and provides an introduction to the academic language and skills students will need both for the exam and for further academic study. They will also benefit from practice tests and detailed feedback.

à Reading and Writing In recognition of the crucial importance that literacy skills play in effective communication and ongoing linguistic development, this course has been designed to specifically support students in their reading and writing. Students will be guided through the conventions of written English, introduced to a variety of texts and provided with ongoing feedback on their written work.

Tracking and Testing Your Progress (12+ week students) We run a progress benchmarking or testing schedule every 6 weeks for our long-term students. This is designed to assess you across the key skills areas in order to assign you a final grade at the end of your course: àYour target will be realistic but challenging à You can compare your progress to other measures (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge/CEFR) à You will receive regular assessment and individual tutorials every 6 weeks All students will receive an ‘End of Course Report’ with a final grade assigned, no matter which dates they start and finish.

“ Los Angeles has always been my favorite city and I thought it would be a great place to improve my English. First, I was here for just 4 months. After returning to my country I realized how much I missed it so I decided to come back for another 8 months. One benefit is that you don’t have to rush anything, so you can stay in one level for a longer time. Like this you can really make sure that you are learning English in a way that works best for you. One of the most interesting SIG classes that I took was the American History class. Because of this class, I learned a lot about this beautiful country. ”

“ I’m doing morning and afternoon classes. I am really enjoying the course. It is a really different study style from Taiwan. When we study English in Taiwan it is really boring. We just sit in the classroom and write and listen to teacher and pay attention. But in Kings we can speak more and we can practise our pronunciation and grammar when we are chatting with other students and teachers. And we have a lot of different games too! I go to the additional lectures a lot because I think they help improve our English skills and we can learn things of the culture from England or learn about Britain. Yesterday the topic was ‘conditionals’. ” Albert (Tse Yuan Chen) from Taiwan studied the Intensive Course at Kings London and Kings Brighton

1981 08/19

Mario from Switzerland studied the Intensive Course, followed by the Diploma of Intensive English course at Kings Los Angeles.